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Helen Lacey on Revisions and Giveaway!

I love revisions. There, I said it. And I love edits. What I
love though, is seeing the finished product, watching the manuscript polish
into something that will be turned into a book. When I start a new story I open
a fresh folder in my word program, and by the time that book is finished and
published I could have twenty separate files in the folder all pertaining to
that book. The first version of my current release from Harlequin Special
Edition, Date With Destiny, read very differently to the finished product that
just hit the shelves.

When I send a proposal/book to my agent it then goes to my
editor and once it’s away I usually start the next project while I wait for the
edits to come back. I know some authors who go into a kind of ‘panic’ mode when
the edits arrive, but for me it’s a signal that it’s one more step in the
process to getting the book in print and into the hands of readers.

The first thing I do is read through the notes and then
transfer any major plot /character changes to a spreadsheet which I pin up near my computer so I can keep checking
and ensure I stay on the right track. I should say that I’m not a plotter’s
bootlace and tend to just start with the characters and an idea of the story
and start writing, so the editing process is often a challenge for my right brain thinking. I’d also like to
say that I take it slow and steady…but the truth is, edits are usually
partnered with a deadline and often the luxury of time isn’t an option.What I do ensure I do is cross off on my
spreadsheet each time I’ve worked through the suggestions – there’s
satisfaction in striking things off a ‘to do’ list.

The thing to remember is that edits are there to improve the
story, not sabotage it and I made the decision from the time of my first
published book to not get precious
about changes that needed to be made. I trust my editor completely and if she
suggests that a character’s name needs to be changed, or a plot device isn’t
working, I’ll adjust it accordingly.

So, embrace edits….and know that they are going to make your
great story even better.

To celebrate the release of Date With Destiny I have a copy
to give away to one commenter.

Financier Grace Preston did fourteen-hour days in New York City. She didn't do small towns in Australia. Not since she'd fled almost twenty years ago. But when a personal trauma sent her home-with a secret she couldn't reveal-the last person she needed was her first love.

Local cop Cameron Jakowski had loved Grace for most of his life. But he wanted marriage and family and she didn't. He was small town, while she was big city-and lived half a world away. But for now she was right here-a walking, talking temptation. One he managed to avoid...until he made one mistake. He kissed her. And reawakened the passion that could change their lives...forever.

Hey, Helen. I don't see you ever getting precious about the non-essentials but I'd love for you to remember that you are a writer, independent of anyone else. An editor *edits* what you've written. A publisher *publishes* what you've written. An agent *agents* it and a reader *reads* it. But all of them lose their function without you. So basically take input but also weigh it with the knowledge that no one knows the characters better than you. And, hey, a name is not inconsequential.

What a wonderful post! I like to think of editing as polishing and shining up the MS. :) I am glad to hear that Helen sees a big difference between her first draft and the book that hits the shelves. I especially liked hearing how she goes about her edits. Wishing her the best of luck! Thanks for sharing. :) ~Jess